Bryan Fass

is a leading expert on public safety injury prevention. As the president and founder of Fit Responder Bryan’s company works nationally with departments, corporations; state and local governments to design and run targeted injury prevention and wellness programs. He is frequently contacted for expert opinion and content contribution for all aspects of public safety fitness, ergonomics and wellness. Bryan authored the Fit Responder book used by departments and schools plus writes for numerous web and peer-reviewed journals including the NSCA-Tactical Strength & Conditioning journal, officer.com, ems-1.com & best practices in EMS. Bryan holds a bachelors’ degree in sports medicine with over 17 years of clinical practice, was a paramedic for over 8 years, and is certified as an Athletic Trainer (ATC, LAT), Strength Coach (CSCS) and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Fit Responder developed the nation’s first validated pre-hire Physical Abilities Test for EMS. Bryan is a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics including risk reduction, employee self-care, real world wellness and How to Eat on the street. www.fitresponder.com

What we have to understand is that there is science fact and science fiction and most of what is out there is fiction. As I discussed in last month’s column a professional athlete would never train to complete exhaustion; to failure.

It constantly surprises me that so many put their training on the back burner when it will save your life. Since, statistically speaking, over 95% of you will not achieve your goal, yet alone make it 45 days into the goal, we need to examine why.

Let’s say all you have access to are some dumbbells, maybe an old bench and some floor space. Awesome; we are ready to go! Since you already went back and read the article on foam rolling before you train your warm up is complete, right? Our goal with...

As a society we are taught to ignore pain and this is exactly what we have to stop doing. Pain, especially aching, nagging pain is a warning or a symptom of bigger things to come. Just like the check engine light it’s a warning that must be heeded.

While it’s normal and arguably acceptable ( in LE) to go days and even weeks without getting a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, the effects on your body are no less lethal. Research clearly shows us that insufficient sleep, interrupted sleep or...

At one time or another we all heard this mantra, so we pushed ourselves through the pain and kept going. The older you get the less you believe this but between the PT instructors, DI’s and SCAT trainers LEO’s as a whole have been taught to just...

Step into any BLET class, academy or dojo and the very first thing taught are stances; stances that help you to have better balance, generate more kicking or striking power and stances to help you with better weapon accuracy.

The problem we see is that once we are adults there is no more focus on the primal basics. As adults we do not ‘play’ anymore; instead we exercise or we train, yet all movement still gets its base from the primal patterns.

Now we all understand the importance of training; as a trainer I totally understand that and so do you. But, how is training the required tasks of the job (which is necessary) “investing” in your assets?

Talk to any chief or sheriff, go to any conference or simply scan the media and you will quickly realize that as a profession we are consistently lowering the bar as it pertains to officer fitness and physical ability.

By following this type of program you will get fit very quickly while developing that mental toughness to get through a brutal but scientifically superior program. So if and when a big incident occurs you are tactically fit, mentally prepared, flexible...

As a law enforcement professional you can choose to make the same mistakes again and again. You can choose to rely on fatty and sugary meals and drinks to hold you over for hours. You can also choose to plan ahead, make a couple of simple changes and...

The weather has been cold, the call volume has been high and at this point your back is flat out sore. The shift ends and as you get home your back is getting consistently tighter. So like most folks you pop a couple of Motrin...

The life of an officer has some predictability to it. You will sit for long periods, drive, lean over your computer, stand on scene and maybe even run, sprint, climb and fight. Needless to say there is a lot of variability to LE but one thing is clear...